Faisalabad: December 13, 2011. (PCP) A leading Civil Society organization in Pakistan, Association of Women for Awareness and Motivation (AWAM) took several initiatives at Lahore and Faisalabad on and around the international day of the persons with disabilities, to increase awareness about disability issues, attention to the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities, and their integration in political, social, economic and cultural spheres of society. A demonstration “End Discrimination and Violence against Persons with Disabilities” was staged on 3rd December 2011 at Faisalabad, to highlight the difficulties persons with disabilities have in playing a full role in society, which was joined by participants from different religious backgrounds and schools of thought including persons with disabilities, government officials and representatives of civil society. The demonstrators strongly condemned the discrimination and mistreatment towards people with disabilities witnessed in Pakistan, and urged the government to take tangible steps towards their empowerment. They shouted slogans in support of the rights of persons with disabilities, and in opposition to injustice, discrimination and violence towards them. They were also holding placards and banners inscribed with their demands for inclusion of persons with disabilities in the mainstream. Seminars titled “Inclusive and Accessible Environment” were organized on December 3, 2011 and December 4, 2011 at Faisalabad and Lahore respectively, to involve groups of people from all sections of society in upholding the rights of persons with disabilities, and to celebrate the contributions by persons with disabilities to their communities. Shazia George (Coordinator-AWAM), Nazia Sardar (Chairperson-AWAM), Naseem Anthony (Executive Secretary-AWAM), Sister Josephine Emmanuel (Miss Haq Home), Moazam Bin Zahoor (District Officer Special Education), Akhtar Aziz (Manager Labour Department), Amjad Ali Shah (Manager NADRA Department), Arif Ayaz (General Secretary Workers Party Pakistan) and Farzana Paloos were among the speakers of the seminar held at Faisalabad, whereas Pervaiz Hans, Rita Samson, Sister Irshad, Shazia George, Naseem Anthony, Nazia Sardar and Farzana Paloos were among the speakers of the seminar held at Lahore. The speakers expressed their grave concerns on the plight of persons with disabilities especially women and children with disabilities in Pakistan, and stressed the need for concerted efforts by the government, affluent people and civil society organizations to empower them. Shazia George said, “In order to address the problems and needs of people with disabilities, the government of Pakistan must devise a mechanism in order to put existing laws and policies into practice, and must create better legislations and policies in conformity with CRPD (Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities) ratified by Pakistan in June 2011, for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the mainstream.” “Pakistan is legally bound under CRPD to create enabling and accessible environment by removing social, economic, legal and political hindrances in their development and empowerment, leading to independent and dignified life,” she added. Nazia Sardar said, “The disability exists in ways of thinking and behaviors, in infrastructure and in society, not within a person with impairment, therefore, the government must build favorable environment for ensuring easy access of people with disabilities to public transportation, buildings and places based on universally accepted disability standards, and for the removal of barriers that prevent a person with disability from participating in an activity or receiving services on an equal basis with others.” Naseem Anthony said, “The persons with disabilities are not only subject to hatred, discrimination, violence, deprivation and injustice in Pakistan, but this disadvantaged section of the society also suffers because of the inaction of the authorities and the failure to enforce adequate laws and policies for their protection.” “An independent institution and monitoring system must be set up to ensure the proper implementation of the CRPD in a true sense, for mitigation of the suffering of the PWDs and improvement in their situation,” he demanded. Sister Josephine Emmanuel said, “Despite obstacles and resistance to their full social integration, people with disabilities can play an active role alongside the able bodied, if they are given proper attention, respect and support by the family and the society.” “An authentic and credible census must be held to determine the exact population of persons with disabilities, and quota in education and employment should be reserved for them in accordance with their share in the total population of Pakistan, and quota be strictly enforced,” she demanded. Farzana Paloos said, “Persons with disabilities face numerous barriers in exploring their talent and potential due to misconduct of the people towards them, therefore this day invites everyone to come forward and reaffirm one’s commitment towards inclusion of people with disabilities in the national mainstream.” “Keeping in view the problems facing persons with disabilities in mobility, the disability registration certificate must be issued within few days rather than few months by making the disability registration process easy and short in order to mitigate their sufferings,” she demanded. Moazam Bin Zahoor said, “The government is committed to take steps for providing the people with disabilities a conducive and congenial environment and make their lives comfortable and the nation prosperous, healthy and tolerant. In this regards, the government is dispensing with their obligations in a responsible manner by taking measures for their inclusion in the mainstream.” Amjad Ali Shah said, “The society should be structured in a way that it not only meets the needs of Persons with disabilities but also engage them in the task of national development. We need to revitalize efforts for providing equal opportunities to all including persons with disabilities both in the pubic and private sector.” Akhtar Aziz said, “Local government is putting efforts for full and effective participation of persons with disabilities in all spheres of life, and for providing enabling environment to them.” “Empowerment of persons with disabilities is a key to rendering them into productive citizens of the society. Sensitization of people and society in this regard is of utmost importance through sustained public awareness programs,” he added. Mumtaz Kousar said, “People with disabilities are confined to home and kept recluse from the development process due to the widespread stereotypes and perception of being inferior and useless citizens towards them, which cause the sense of pessimism, deprivation and interiority complex among them.” Arif Ayaz said, “There exists a gap between the policy and practice concerning persons with disabilities, therefore government must make serious and concerted efforts by addressing the concerns of people with disabilities not only in the promises but also in policies and implementation.” Sister Irshad said, “Persons with disabilities need encouragement and guidance to excel in life and to play their active and useful role in the society, therefore families must provide them equal opportunities, rights and confidence for their personal development and physical & mental growth as well.” Rita Samson said, “The ratio of disability is increasing in Pakistan due to the natural disasters, terrorism activities, polio, road accidents, cousin marriages and violence on pregnant women, therefore government must take up the causes of disability by taking effective measures for the prevention of disability.” “The disability can occur at any age, and the main causes of disability included smoking, unnecessary medication, malnutrition, vitamin deficiency, lack of exercise, heart disease, diabetes. Disability could be prevented specially in the newborn, if the pregnant woman is counseled regarding dos and don’ts,” she added. Pervaiz Hans said, “The birth of children with disabilities is termed as the symbol of punishment of the sins of ancestors, and different negative titles are attributed to disability in our society, resultantly they are prevented from participating in social activities due to the societal discrimination towards them.”